It’s been a strange couple of months. Many of us feel like we have been prepping for this kind of disaster our whole lives by binging copious amounts of Netflix, ordering delivery on the reg, and having impromptu dance parties in the living room. But as time passes, you may find yourself looking for new things to watch or read. You may need to print off some documents and not know where to go. Maybe all the beautiful weather we’ve been having is making you want to toss a ball around at Muskoseepi Park. Did you know that the Library can help you with all of these things and more? Check it out below:

Read It! or Watch It! Recommendations

Are you sick of scrolling through your streaming service for what feels like ages, trying to find something to watch? Or maybe you’d like to find some new books to read, but aren’t sure where to start. We can help through our reader and watcher advisory service. Simply fill our Watch It! form (bit.ly/2W3O8Qz) or our Read It! form (bit.ly/2xoN2qs) and we’ll recommend some movies, TV shows, or books we think you’ll enjoy. Any physical items we recommend can be picked up at the Library via our curbside pickup service. And if you’re curious about what our staff are reading or watching, check out our Facebook page!

Curbside Printing

Do you need something printed and don’t have a printer at home? Fear not, the Library can help with our Curbside Printing program. Here’s how it works: You email us at curbprinting@gppl.ca. Once we get back to you to let you know your printing is complete, you come to the Library and park in a designated spot. Then you give us a call at 587-343-6503, staff take your payment, and you leave with your printing without having to step out of your vehicle! Printing costs 25 cents per page and is available in black and white on letter-sized paper.

The Library of Things

Even though the Library is closed to the public, did you know you can still borrow from our Library of Things? Come borrow our croquet set, our automotive code reader, our ladder ball, and more! To put a hold on an item from our Library of Things, simply visit our catalogue at catalogue.tracpac.ab.ca. Then search for “Library of things” (include the quotation marks!). Browse through the list to see what’s available and place a hold on the item you’re interested in. Our Library of Things items are currently being loaned out for a three-week period.

Virtual Programs

One of the ways the Library is continuing to serve Grande Prairie is by offering a number of virtual programs for individuals to attend remotely through services like Zoom. Some of the virtual programs we have started offering include salsa dancing, “Dungeons and Dragons: (ages nine to 14), real estate information sessions, a death café and an “Animal Crossing” hangout program where participants can visit GPPL’s island, Booklandia.

Returning Items

During the pandemic, we decided to close off our book return and ask our patrons to hang onto their items. We have been extending the due dates on items periodically to ensure that no one racks up any late fines during the pandemic and with some restrictions being lifted, we will be re-opening our book drop on May 19 so that items can be returned. All items are being kept in isolation for a period of three days before being checked into the system, and staff are taking the necessary precautions by handling the items while wearing PPE and sanitizing the appropriate areas.

Hailey McCullough is the head of adult services at the Grande Prairie Public Library.